Blackbird Interactive – Studio 3

Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is an award‑winning, independent gaming studio based in Vancouver, BC. The BBI team is comprised of a talented group of artists, programmers, animators, editors, audio engineers, and executives, all of whom require specific work environments. We were fortunate to be tasked with the job of designing a new home that could bring all this expertise under one roof.

Studio 3 began as a 28,000 sq. ft. shell space in the new South Flatz district of Vancouver. We were given some early design parameters: include a shipping container and think of the space as the deck of an aircraft carrier. (We instantly fell in love.)

We divided the office in half, with western and eastern wings that house BBI’s open workstations and meeting rooms. The atrium, kitchen, and lounge are centrally located to accommodate all staff meetings, parties, and gatherings. The positioning of the atrium gently nudges people away from their desks to engage and interact with colleagues.

The design concept is rooted in the sleek, angular lines and dark matte finishes of the aerospace industry, pulling heavily from BBI’s namesake plane, the Blackbird SR-71. The idea of a relaxed Bedouin camp on the deck of a ship was presented early and served as inspiration throughout the process. The result is a peppering of tapestry‑style pillows and Persian rugs throughout the common areas that serve as cues to kick back and relax.

A favourite feature is the shipping container meeting pod, which was completely custom made and assembled on site. Graphics based on SR-71 call signs were hand-painted to give the shipping container an authentic, salvaged feel. Specialty signage and wayfinding is used throughout the space, adding detail and continuity.

These clients know exactly who they are and by letting us dig deep, collaborate, and learn a ton about their culture, they gave us the tools we needed to create a space that’s distinctly ‟them.”